Wigan Athletic travel to Upton Park on Saturday knowing they must win in east London to boost their chance of survival in the Premier League.
Both teams took the game to the Manchester clubs they faced on Wednesday. With the Hammers were unlucky to draw, whilst the Latics had chances to pick up at least a point at the Etihad.
West Ham will know that three points on Saturday will take them past the magic 40 point mark and all but secure Premiership survival. A win would also extend the gap between the Hammers and 18th place Wigan.
It won’t be all plain sailing for the Irons who have struggled in the past against Wigan and were destroyed 4-1 at Upton Park in the Capital One Cup earlier on in the season. But unbeaten in four West Ham will fancy their chance against a Wigan side desperate for survival yet again in the Premier League.
Andy Carroll will hope to continue his fine form as he looks to continue to impress Big Sam and West Ham. Ricardo Vaz Te who benefited from the big man’s presence on Wednesday night to head home against Manchester United told the media he hopes the Geordie striker stays in E13 next season.
The Portuguese winger told the London Evening Standard, “Here, we all love him, we all care and we all admire him. We have given him that confidence and he has just flourished. It would be a huge step forward but there are financial issues which are nothing to do with me but every player, the club and the fans, would love to keep him.”
Meanwhile Sam Allardyce has said this game is bigger than Wednesday night’s creditable 2-2 draw against Manchester United he told Journalists at Upton Park on Friday.
He said, “Its home against Wigan and I see it as a bigger game than Manchester United. I hope the players see it the same as I do, because the emphasis on what happens if we can produce a performance that wins us the three points is massive in terms of where we want to be. While it still might not be mathematically impossible for other teams to catch us on 42 points, I don’t think anyone will have any chance [of doing it].
Wigan meanwhile have Premiership Survival and an FA Cup final rattling around their heads with the excitement of European football shoved firmly to the back of their heads for now.
There is no doubting that they are the modern day great escape artists having avoided relegation from the seemingly impossible year after year.
This is in large part to the great work done by Roberto Martinez who seems to perform miracles season after season with a very limited budget, if they survival for me he has to be up there for Manager of the Season, taking Wigan to an FA cup final and Europe next season is an incredible achievement.
West Ham will have to be wary of the dangers of Wigan’s quick free flowing football that Roberto Martinez endorses to his players. In Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo they have players who know where the back of the net is.
Martinez remained upbeat about his side’s chance of survival after his sides defeat to Manchester City he said; “Of course, we would much rather have taken the points from the game but if we continue to play like that then we will take points from games, I’ve no doubt about that.”
Last Five Games
West Ham:
· Chelsea (a) 2-0 loss
· West Brom (h) 3-1 win
· Liverpool (a) 0-0
· Southampton (a) 1-1
· Manchester United (h) 2-2
Wigan Athletic
· Newcastle (h) 2-1 win
· Norwich (h) 1-0 win
· Queens Park Rangers (a) 1-1
· Millwall (n) FA Cup 2-0 Win
· Manchester City (a) 1-0 loss
Danger men
West Ham: Andy Carroll who else? His form has improve dramatically of late and has score 5 in his last 8, Wigan will have to mark him out the game to stand any chance in this one.
Wigan: Arona Kone, the Ivorian has taken the Premier League by storm and his pace could cause problems for Collins at the back with his skill and speed.
Team News
West Ham will once more be without Joe Cole, who is struggling to get over a hamstring problem.
Defenders James Tomkins and George McCartney are also out with respective calf and knee injuries.
Wigan have no fresh injury concerns but manager Roberto Martinez could make changes for the club’s third game in a week.
Forward Callum McManaman is in line for a recall, but Roman Golobart remains sidelined with a twisted ankle.
Where to drink if you’re a Wigan Fan: Well there are many away pubs, including the Black Lion in Plaistow which is away friendly, as well as Denmark Arms near East Ham Town hall, and occasionally the Duke of Edinburgh turn left out of Upton Park Tube station.
Bowdenwhu Predicts: 3-2 West Ham
Come on You Irons!
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